Tovino Thomas, Trisha’s Identity planned as franchise, Mandira Bedi to star in 3 instalments: Akhil Paul

The team of big-budget Malayalam film Identity, which has Tovino Thomas and Trisha in the lead, is set to kick off shoot in Goa on September 12. The movie, which will also mark Bollywood actress Mandira Bedi’s Malayalam debut, is also planned as a franchise, reveals its co-director Akhil Paul, in an exclusive chat with OTTplay.

Akhil, who is co-directing the movie with Anas Khan, tells us that Mandira’s casting in the movie was done, with also keeping in mind the possibilities of a franchise. “Her character is not someone who is just there in Identity, but in the forthcoming instalments also. If the first film is well received, we want to go ahead with it in the sequels too. That’s the reason for casting Mandira Bedi, who plays an integral character and is there throughout Identity,” he explains.

Also read: It's official! Trisha Krishnan replaces Madonna Sebastian in Tovino Thomas' Identity 

Tovino’s Identity to be shot in Goa, Rajasthan and Jammu and Kashmir

While its first schedule will kick off in Goa, Trisha Krishnan and Tovino are set to join the sets only in October in Udaipur, Rajasthan where they will be canning an action sequence for 10 days. The film will be shot for 128 days from September to February, with a few days of shoot in Jammu and Kashmir post that.

On pulling off a big project like this in Malayalam, Akhil says, “Century Films is producing the movie. They believe in our vision and that’s the prime reason we are able to mount the film on this scale.”

Further on the movie that also has Vinay Rai in a pivotal role, the filmmaker says, “It’s not a spy thriller nor does it have any connection with our previous investigative thriller Forensic. All four central characters played by Tovino, Trisha, Mandira Bedi and Vinay Rai have a connection to the film’s theme of identity in their own different perspectives.”

Tovino Thomas’ upcoming movies

Meanwhile, Tovino, who had sustained an injury while shooting for Nadikar Thilakam , is expected to resume filming in a week. The actor is also part of Jithin Lal’s Ajayante Randam Moshanam, which is expected to hit theatres at the end of this year.

Tovino has also wrapped up the shoot of Anveshippin Kandethum, which has him essaying the role of a police officer. The film will also be a 2023 release.

Also read: Tovino Thomas’ Anveshippin Kandethum will focus on the mental conflicts of cops: Jinu Abraham